Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.

Lovelovelove! I love this! For its beauty and its concept. (I just tried to take a picture of myself with a shadow of my hand across my face and it reminded me of this– only yours is really beautiful.)

This is a really good shot. I like how where the hand is there is a blur that almost looks like it is wiping away something, it makes me think of steam on a mirror. The angle of the arm is a little odd, I know that if there were more defining characteristics you could see the perspective and it would make sense. But it makes the shape of the hand, arm and shoulder look a little out of proportion. So when I look at it I find myself struggling with the shape rather than appreciating the overall asthetic of the picture.

Perhaps if it were cropped closer to just the hand you would be able to tell the same story with a little more sharpness. Just a thought.

Hi “Rose”, thanks for your comment; what you have said really is interesting to me.
There is certainly struggle in this image and the foreshortening in the shadow gives it a tension that I have considered carefully.

Sometimes when I look at the image, the arm seems to be pushing away, or propping up (for me the shoulder is the strength in this). At other times, it seems to me to be folding in, anticipating embrace. There is a duality here that I find interesting.
The arm indicates an attachment to the trunk of the body, and in a way a connection to the trunk of the tree. Sadly, there is also a ‘wiping away’.

I like that you have taken the time to critique this image, if it
holds your attention for a bit then I feel like it is successful in some way.
Karen

It’s a really strong photograph, and I think my drawing history is what caused me to look at the perspective the way that I id.
I am so impressed by all of your photography! I’m glad you took the time to respond. 🙂

Ah Ha!!! You also break with your accustomed way of thinking and come up with something out of the ordinary – not a good word. Your work is not ordinary. I like this one because I think of many things – one being the awkward shape, the body breaking a fall. It’s like my ‘rolled’ painting. which way is up .. I love the delicateness of the leaves and the surprise of the hand.